With Aniket.

The word "Aguada" means water. This place, South of Candolim, with the Mandovi river on one side and overlooking the Arabian sea on the other, was constructed by the Portuguese to protect themselves from the Dutch invasion and the Marathas. It is said that vessels coming from Europe took this as a brief touch point for trade and also beef up supplies of fresh water from a spring that lies inside. Apart from being strategically located, it offers breathtaking views of the Arabian sea. Ladies and gentlemen, here is Fort Aguada.

You might have heard about the hill station Lonavala like "n" number of times. And it's chikki like "n+1" number of times. Well let's move 26kms ahead towards the Amby Valley Road with the aim to reach a very very small village called Peth Shahpur. As soon as you reach there, look above through the cloudy skies to see a gigantic piece of rock with almost the same look as the "sugar loaf" to greet you. Welcome to the base of the Korigad fort . The one hour trek to the top is as comfortable as washing clothes in a washing machine. Add chunks of clouds, sudden bursts of rain, few grilled maize, a high megapixel camera and the luring sight of the Amby Valley to it. Believe me its worth a trek. Take with you anyone you know, right from kids to the elderly, its rejuvenating for all.

A word quite commonly used by all of us is "getaways". I often found the word confusing, as to what it means. Getaway as to never come back, or to go with a certain intention of coming back. Never mind. If you are sitting on a lazy Sunday and have almost nothing to do,then every Puneri guy has one fine place to "get away". Purandar fort. The place is now maintained by the military, but it can surely be a fresh change in the monsoons!!.

On the final stretches of the "SAR-Pass expedition" you shall encounter a small village called "Bhandak Thatch", meaning lovely meadows. Its located at around 8000fts. It lies in the way down from SAR Pass to the Barshini village near Manikaran. The place is generally referred to as the "Indian Switzerland". A very close competitor for the title is the well known "Khajjiar" also in H.P.I have no doubts about any of them as I was more interested in enjoying the almost untouched beauty !!. I used the word "untouched" to slightly hint at the scourge of commercialization and business that has taken a toll on many hill stations of India. But a second thought also struck me that said -"no matter how beautiful a place is, its true worth cannot be realized until it is properly marketed !!". I knew I was confused. But guess what, it is a fascinating feeling to be confused amidst so much awesomeness !